The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to remove the names of Senator David Mark’s National Working Committee from its official portal and suspend recognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership, pending the resolution of a Federal High Court suit over the party’s chairmanship.
The announcement follows a judgment by the Court of Appeal, Abuja, delivered on 12 March 2026 in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/145/2026: Senator David Mark v. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe & Ors, which dismissed Senator Mark’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
“It is necessary to make preservatory orders to ensure that the subject matter of the dispute pending before the trial court is not prejudiced… The parties are hereby directed to maintain the status quo ante bellum and shall refrain from taking any step or doing any act capable of foisting a fait accompli on the court or otherwise rendering nugatory the proceedings before the trial court,” the Court of Appeal said in its judgment.
The ADC leadership crisis began after the resignation of former chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu. Senator David Mark’s faction claims legitimacy through a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on 29 July 2025, which appointed a new National Working Committee led by Mark. Hon. Nafiu Bala Gombe, the party’s Vice-National Chairman, however, insists he automatically assumes leadership as the sole remaining vice-chairman and subsequently filed Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025 in September 2025 to enforce his claim.
Gombe’s suit sought an injunction restraining Mark’s group from acting as party officials, directing INEC to recognize him as acting chairman, and preventing the party from holding any congresses or conventions until the matter is resolved. His legal team filed motions ex-parte and on notice to stop INEC from attending or monitoring activities organized by Mark’s faction.
Following the appellate ruling, INEC received multiple letters from the legal representatives of both parties. Summit Law Chambers, representing Gombe, demanded enforcement of the Court of Appeal judgment, including ceasing recognition of Mark’s faction and removing their names from INEC’s portal.
The law firm also accused the commission of violating the court’s order by monitoring meetings organized by Mark’s group.
Conversely, Suleiman Usman SAN & Co., representing stakeholders aligned with Gombe, cautioned INEC not to recognize Gombe as acting chairman due to the ongoing trial. INEC also received notifications from Senator Mark’s group about scheduled congresses and a national convention.
At its meeting on March 31, INEC resolved to maintain the status quo ante bellum as directed by the Court of Appeal.
“Since the names of the current National Working Committee members led by Senator David Mark were uploaded on 9th September 2025… the names would be removed from the INEC portal pursuant to the order of the Court of Appeal to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the matter is decided by the trial court,” the commission stated.
Mohammed Kudu Haruna, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, added: “The Commission remains unwavering in its duty to ensure impartiality. Political parties and stakeholders are urged to conduct themselves in a manner that does not compromise the integrity of the electoral process”.
With the Federal High Court yet to determine the substantive case, the party remains in legal limbo, raising questions about its readiness for the 2027 general elections.